Next Ombudsman will have 7-year term: JBC

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - The successor of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez will have a fresh 7-year term, members of the Judicial Bar and Council said Monday.

Members of the JBC took judicial notice of Gutierrez's resignation and said they will soon start the screening process for the next Ombudsman.

Gutierrez resigned as Ombudsman last Friday, preempting an impeachment trial against her in the Senate.

Under JBC rules, the names of those nominated or interested to take the place of Gutierrez are submitted to the JBC, which processes and screens the applicants, after which the JBC submits a shortlist of nominees for President Aquino to choose from.

The JBC, which is chaired by the Chief Justice, includes the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Justice, a retired member of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeals and one representative each from the Integrated Bar and the academe, as members.